The Count of Monte Cristo

Franz Learns Sinbad Has Departed the Island

Franz approaches the sailors, and the patron Gaetano informs him that Sinbad has left his compliments but departed due to important business in Malaga. Franz questions whether this hospitality was real, but Gaetano points to a small yacht sailing toward Corsica. Through his telescope, Franz confirms the mysterious stranger’s identity—he stands at the stern, waves his handkerchief in farewell, and fires a cannon shot as a parting salute. Franz returns the gesture, and the yacht continues toward Porto-Vecchio.

Franz Fails to Find the Grotto’s Hidden Entrance

Determined to discover the secret entrance to the enchanted apartment, Franz requests a torch and enters the grotto with Gaetano. He meticulously examines every surface of the granite walls, inserting his hunting sword into any fissure and pressing on projecting points. Despite two hours of searching, he finds nothing—no hidden mechanisms, no give in the stone. Gaetano smiles at the futility of the endeavor, having had the same idea himself and abandoned it.

Gaetano Details Sinbad’s Smuggler and Bandit Ties

When Franz questions why Sinbad sails toward Porto-Vecchio rather than Malaga, Gaetano reveals that the yacht carries two Corsican brigands to be landed. He describes Sinbad as a man who fears neither God nor Satan, capable of going fifty leagues off course to do someone a service. Franz observes that such activities might involve Sinbad with authorities, but Gaetano laughs dismissively—Sinbad’s yacht moves like a bird and can beat any frigate, and he has friends everywhere along the Mediterranean coast who would shelter him. The Count of Monte Cristo, Franz’s host, clearly enjoys exceptional privileges among smugglers and bandits.

Franz Hunts Goats on Monte Cristo

With the yacht no longer visible and the search for the grotto’s secret abandoned, Gaetano reminds Franz that he came to Monte Cristo to hunt goats. Franz takes his fowling-piece and hunts across the island, killing a goat and two kids within fifteen minutes. However, these wild animals resemble domestic goats too closely for Franz to consider them proper game, and his mind remains occupied with more enthralling ideas—the memory of being the hero of an Arabian Nights tale.

Franz Conducts a Second Grotto Search

Despite the failure of his first attempt, Franz begins a second search of the grotto while Gaetano roasts one of the kids. This extended visit proves equally fruitless. When Franz emerges, the kid is roasted and ready, and he sits where his mysterious host had invited him to supper the previous evening. In the distance, he sees the little yacht like a sea-gull on the waves, continuing toward Corsica—Sinbad’s true destination of Porto-Vecchio becoming clear.

Franz Departs Monte Cristo for Florence

With all hope of detecting the grotto’s secret lost, Franz boards his boat and departs Monte Cristo. As the boat sails, Monte Cristo disappears from view, and with it, all trace of the preceding night—supper, Sinbad, hashish, statues—becomes a dream. He sails through day and night, arriving at Florence to finish his affairs of pleasure before planning to rejoin his companion in Rome.

Franz Arrives in Rome During Carnival

On Saturday evening, Franz arrives in Rome by mail-coach during Carnival season. The streets are thronged with people, and the city buzzes with feverish excitement. Finding no room at the Hôtel de Londres due to hired hackney-coachmen and innkeepers with full houses, Franz sends his card asking for Albert de Morcerf. Signor Pastrini himself greets him, leading him to a two-room apartment with a parlor overlooking the street. The rest of the floor is occupied by a wealthy gentleman believed to be either Sicilian or Maltese.

Franz and Albert Find No Carriages Available

Franz and Albert demand supper and a carriage for the following days. Pastrini serves supper immediately but admits he cannot procure a carriage. Albert proposes putting horses to his own carriage, but Pastrini reveals there are no horses available—all post-horses were hired two weeks prior, with only those absolutely required for posting remaining. Despite Albert’s disbelief and Franz’s resignation, Albert maintains his philosophy that money can solve any problem. He suppers, sleeps soundly, and dreams of racing through Rome during Carnival in a coach with six horses.